12 WEEK PROPERTY DISREGARD PERIOD AND THE DEFERRED PAYMENT AGREEMENT Information Pack for our service users and their families or representatives What is the 12 week Property Disregard Period? The Council will disregard the value of your property which was your former main or normal residence, for the first 12 weeks of your permanent residential or nursing care placement. If your stay was initially temporary the 12 weeks starts from the date it is decided your care is permanent. If your property is sold within this 12-week period, the Council will take into account the money you receive from the sale as capital and you will be expected to pay the full cost of your care. Although the value of your property is disregarded during this time, you will still be required to complete a 'Financial Assessment' this is to establish what you can afford to contribute towards your care costs from your income and other savings. The financial assessment is means tested and is a statutory requirement as it is expected that everyone will pay towards their care. The assessment is carried out in line with the Department of Health Guidance 'Care and Support Statutory Guidance,' for further information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-act-2014-statutory-guidance-for-implementation In addition to completing the financial assessment the Council will also check to ensure that you are receiving all the financial benefits that you may be entitled to, and will assist you to claim any benefits not in payment. Before the end of this 12 week period, you will be asked to confirm if you would like to be considered for the Deferred Payment Agreement (please see below), as the initial contract with the home will cease at the end of the 12 weeks. If you have been in residential or nursing care and paying for your care fees without any assistance from the Council for more than 12 weeks, the 12 week property disregard will not apply to you. However, there are certain circumstances, when this may be considered, for example there may be a sudden and unexpected change in your financial circumstances. The Council will consider each case on its own merits. New Deferred Payment Information March 2015 Page 1
What is a Deferred Payment Agreement? A Deferred Payment Agreement is designed for people who own their own home, but either do not wish to or cannot sell it immediately and cannot meet the full cost of their care home fees from their other income or capital. A Deferred Payment Agreement can only apply to the property which was your former main or normal residence. Effectively, the scheme offers you a loan from Worcestershire County Council using your home as security. It doesn't work in exactly the same way as a conventional loan - the Council doesn't give you a fixed sum of money when you join the scheme, but pays an agreed part of your weekly bill up to the agreed 'Equity Loan Limit' or until the agreement is terminated. You pay the part of your weekly charge that you are assessed as being able to afford from your income and savings, and the Council pays the part of your weekly charge that you can't afford until the value of your home is realised. The part that the Council pays is your 'Deferred Payment'. The deferred payments build up as a debt - which is cleared when you have the capital available to clear the debt, this for many people will be done, when they sell their home, either immediately or later on. Any Deferred Payment Agreement would be set up to begin at the beginning of the 13 th week of your permanent residential or nursing care placement. Appendix 5 gives a basic overview of how this process works How does the agreement work? If you decide to use the Deferred Payment Agreement Scheme, the Council will carry out preliminary checks to establish, ownership and property value, and then using this information will be able to calculate your share in the property and your 'Equity Loan Limit'. To see how we do this, please see Appendix 2. One this has been established your will be offered a Deferred Payment Agreement, you enter into an agreement with the Council by signing an agreement document. The Council then places what is called a 'legal charge' on your property to safeguard the loan. This operates as a mortgage on the property. The agreement document covers both the responsibilities of the Council and your responsibilities, one of which is to make sure that your home is adequately insured and maintained. You can end the agreement at any time by paying off the outstanding debt under the Deferred Payment arrangements (for example, if you sell your home). The loan also becomes repayable from your estate in the event of your death. The Council cannot cancel the agreement without your consent. PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance of any application under the scheme is at the discretion of the Council and resources to fund the scheme are limited. New Deferred Payment Information March 2015 Page 2
Do I have to pay to enter in to a Deferred Payment Agreement? You will be asked to pay an administration fee (see Appendix 1 for the current amounts) which will be payable at the time the charge is placed against the property and the Deferred Payment Agreement is entered in to. This fee covers the Council's administration costs, legal costs and disbursements involved in drawing up the agreement, carrying out searches and placing the legal charge against your property. The amount of the administration fee will depend on whether the property is registered or not with Land Registry. Compound interest will also be applied to the Deferred Payment, this is set nationally by the Department of Health and is reviewed every six months, usually in July and January of each year. The currently interest rate can be found at Appendix 1. In certain circumstances additional costs may also be incurred which will be added to the deferred payment debt, for example, this could be if a specialist valuation is required at any point during the life time of the agreement. What are the advantages of using the Deferred Payment Agreement? An advantage of entering into the Deferred Payment Agreement is that you do not have to sell your home in your life time if you do not want to. You can claim Attendance Allowance from the 13 th week of the permanent residential or nursing placement, or, if you are under pensionable age, the care component of Disability Living Allowance or the daily living component of your Personal Independence Payment. This means that you will have extra income to contribute towards the weekly cost of your care, and will reduce your eventual deferred payments debt. You should take independent legal and financial advice to help you decide which course of action would be financially better for you. If there is an agreement for a Top Up (sometimes referred to as an Above Banding Supplement) towards your placement and you choose to enter a Deferred Payment Agreement, you can add the cost of this to your overall loan, but only if the Council agrees that there is enough equity in your home. How do I know if I am eligible for a Deferred Payment Agreement? In order to be considered for a Deferred Payment Agreement you will need to satisfy the following conditions: You have been assessed as requiring 24 hour care and this is to be provided in a care home setting, and You own a property which was your former main or only home, and Excluding the value of this home, you have capital less than or equal to the upper capital threshold (see Appendix 1) If the Council is unable to disregard the value of your former main or only home, under either mandatory or discretionary disregards, details of when a disregard can be consider can be found in the Council's 'Deferred Payment Agreement Policy'. Your loan is able to be secured by way of a legal charge being placed on your property in favour of Worcestershire County Council New Deferred Payment Information March 2015 Page 3
Is there a limit to how much I can borrow? A maximum amount you can borrow will be agreed based on the available equity available in your share of the property. For the purposes of a Deferred Payment Agreement and the charges incurred under it, the value of your property will be assessed at its current market value, less any mortgage or loan secured on it and less 10% of its value where there would be expenses involved in selling it. The 10% rule is only for calculating the value of a property before its sale (see Appendix 2 for an example of the calculation). You will be asked to provide an estimate of its current value; the Council will compare this against current market trends within your area. Should there be any discrepancy the Council may ask you to provide a valuation form a recognised Estate Agent. Once the property has been sold you will be treated as having the actual share of the sale proceeds you receive once any secured debts and the actual expenses of sale have been paid. Should you decide to rent out your property whilst in a Deferred Payment Agreement, you would be expected to use the rental income to increase the amount that you contribute towards your weekly care home fees, and therefore, reducing the debt accruing with the Council. However, before entering in to any tenancy agreement, you must obtain consent from the Council and can do this by contacting the Care Contribution Assessment Team. The Council will disregard 25% of the gross rental income. The Care Contribution Assessment Team will ask you to provide verification of the proposed tenancy agreement and rental income. What if I am acting on behalf of someone else? If the person receiving care lacks the capacity to make decisions regarding their finances, there must be a legally appointed representative who can make decisions on their behalf. This must be someone who holds Enduring Power of Attorney, Lasting Power of Attorney (for property and finance) or a Deputy appointed by the Court of Protection, If you are appointed to act for someone, you will be asked to provide verification of this. Please see Worcestershire County Councils Deferred Payment Agreement Policy for more information. Where you can get independent advice Worcestershire County Council strongly recommends that you take independent legal and/or financial advice before you sign the Deferred Payment Agreement documents. If you need further guidance concerning local authority charging for residential and nursing care, independent advice can be obtained from Citizens Advice Bureaux, charities for older people, solicitors and financial advisors. Please see Appendix 4 for useful contact details New Deferred Payment Information March 2015 Page 4
What happens next? We would like you to confirm that you have received this information pack. Please complete the form at Appendix 3 called: 'Property Information Acknowledgement' When we receive this form we will complete some preliminary checks to see if your property can be considered for a Deferred Payment Agreement. We will write to you to confirm either way and if it can be considered we will send you a Deferred Payment Application form. What if I want to apply for a Deferred Payment Agreement? If you would like the Council to consider you for a Deferred Payment Agreement, you will need to complete and return the 'Deferred Payment Application Form' and send this to: Care Contribution Assessment Team County Hall Spetchley Road Worcester WR5 2NP *This must be submitted by the end of the fourth week of your stay at the latest. What happens when you get my application form? Should your property be eligible for a Deferred Payment Agreement following the Councils preliminary checks, your will receive a 'Deferred Payment Offer Letter' outlining your 'Equity Loan Limit' available to you. In addition we will also send you a formal Deferred Payment Agreement. This is the legal contract between yourself and Worcestershire County Council. You will receive two copies of the agreement one is for you to retain for your records and the other is to be signed and returned to the Council along with any requested documentation. It is important that you fully read the agreement including the terms and conditions before signing it. The following documents must be returned to us within 7 days: Check list 1. One signed copy of the Deferred Payment Agreement 2. Evidence of Identify of the property owner By way of either ONE item from List A and TWO items from List B as follows:- New Deferred Payment Information March 2015 Page 5
List A current valid passport current photocard driving licence (not provisional licence) old style driving licence List B cheque guarantee or credit card supported by an original account statement less than 3 months old Utility bill less than 3 months old (postal statement and not an internet statement) Council tax bill for current year Rent account statement or rent book showing rent paid for the last 3 months Mortgage Statement for the current mortgage year (postal statement and not and internet statement) 3. One Copy of the Lasting Power or Attorney/Deputyship 4. One form of Identification relating to the Power of Attorney/Deputy (as above in point 2) 5. Copy of death certificate (if appropriate) should the property be owned between the present owner and a deceased partner These forms should posted back to the following address within 7 days of receipt: Deferred Payment Agreement Care Contribution Assessment Team Adult Services and Health Worcestershire County Council County Hall, Spetchley Road Worcester, WR5 2NP The Council will write to you to confirm once the legal charge has been placed on your property and the Deferred Payment Agreement has started. Once your agreement is in place, the Council will monitor your accruing loan and will provide you with statements every six months to keep you up to date. What is the financial assessment and why do I need to complete one? A financial assessment is a means tested assessment based on your income and savings (excluding the value of your home) to establish what your contribution will be towards your care cost fees. Whilst we are gathering information to be able to accurately assess how much you will be asked to pay, you will be charged a provisional contribution for long term residential or nursing care and this will be payable to the home. (see Appendix 1 for current rates) If your property falls to be disregarded for the first 12 weeks, your financial assessment will not take in to account the value of your home. If you chose to enter in to a Deferred Payment Agreement, from the start of the 13th week of your care, you will have a second financial assessment; called the 'Deferred Payment Financial Assessment' this will establish what you weekly contribution towards your care costs will be from the start of your Deferred Payment Agreement and will be reviewed annually. As part of this assessment we will leave you with the 'Disposal Income Allowance' (see Appendix 1) This allowance is to cover your weekly personal expenditure and the cost of insuring and maintaining your property whilst you are in the care home. For more information regarding the 'Disposal Income Allowance' and what you can choose to retain please refer to the Councils 'Deferred Payment Agreement Policy' Deferred Payment Information Pack CA 2015 1.3 Page 6
The Council works in partnership with The Department for Work and Pensions, Pensions Service and in order for us to ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to, we need your consent to share information. You can give your permission when completing the Deferred Payment Application Form Worcestershire County Council supports the objectives of the Data Protection Act 1998 and is registered as a data controller. Information that you provide will be governed by the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998 and may be processed by the Council in the performance of its statutory duties or for purposes required by law. More information is available at www. worcestershire.gov.uk This document can be made available in other formats (large print, audio tape, computer disk and Braille) on request from Care Contribution Assessment Team on telephone number 01905 765761 or by emailing CCAAdmin@worcestershire.gov.uk To the best of our knowledge all information was correct at the time of printing: March 2015 Deferred Payment Information Pack CA 2015 1.3 Page 7
PROPERTY INFORMATION PACK - APPENDIX 1 CURRENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION Upper Capital Limit 23,250.00 From April 2015 Lower Capital Limit 14,250.00 From April 2015 Administration Fee 410.00 if the property is registered with Land Registry or 430.00 if it is unregistered. Interest Rate From 1 st July 2015: 2.25% (interest will be compounded) Personal Expenditure Allowance Disposable Income Allowance 24.90 per week 144.00 per week Provisional Assessed Contribution April 2015 - April 2016 80.45 per week (under pension age) 126.30pw per week (over pension age) Deferred Payment Information Pack Appendix 1 March 2015 Page 1
PROPERTY INFORMATION PACK - APPENDIX 2 EXAMPLE: SUFFICIENT EQUITY TO COVER CARE COSTS? Value or Property 150,000.00 Less 10% (selling fees) 15,000.00 Less Lower Capital Threshold 14,250.00 Equity to be considered 120,750.00 Proposed cost of weekly care package 400.00 Less an average Client Contribution 150.00 Weekly amount to be loaned 250.00 Annual cost of loan 13,000.00 Approx Length of time equity would last 9.3 Years Total Equity of 120,750.00 is divided by the annual cost of the loan which is 13,000.00; this gives the Council an idea of how long the equity would cover the proposed weekly care costs. In this case it would cover just over 9 years. Please note that this is an example of how equity is calculated for the Deferred Payment Scheme, the figures mentioned above are an example only and do not reflect the available funding for care packages. For further information about Worcestershire County Council's 'banding rates' for long term care, please speak to your Social Worker. Information about how the client contribution is assessed please refer to the 'Financial Assessment Information Pack', which should have been supplied to you by your social worker. New Deferred Payment Information Pack Appendix 2 March 2015 Page 1
APPENDIX 3 PROPERTY INFORMATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Please complete the form using BLOCK CAPITALS throughout. Section 1 Details of person moving into residential or nursing care Mr/Mrs/Ms/other.. Surname.. First names.. Date of birth / / National Insurance Number... Phone number, where you can be contacted.... Section 2 Details of representative (if relevant) Mr/Mrs/Ms/other.. Surname First names... Address....... Post code.. Telephone Date of birth / / Email. Relationship to person named in Section 1 (e.g. son, daughter, solicitor)... Do you have legal authority to act on behalf of the person named in Section 1? Yes No If YES, please tick the relevant box below to indicate the authority you have and provide evidence of your authority, e.g. full Power of Attorney document, when returning this document: Power of Attorney Deputyship SECTION 3 - Details of your former residence Address...... Post code..... Do you own the property specified above? Yes No If YES, please tick the relevant box I am the sole owner I own it with someone else Deferred Payment Information Pack Appendix 3 v.10 Page 1
Please give details (for example, jointly owned, tenancy in common) and give the names on the deeds... What type of property is it? (please tick relevant one) Flat Terraced Detached Bungalow Semi Detached Other (please state) How many bedrooms/bathrooms are there? When did you buy your home? Price paid.... Estimate of current value.. Is your home mortgaged or have you taken out an equity release against the property? Yes (mortgage) Yes (equity release) No If YES, please tell us the amount borrowed. and amount outstanding. Please provide supporting evidence e.g. Mortgage Statement or Equity Release Agreement document. Does anyone else normally live in your home with you? Yes No If YES, please provide the following information: Name Age Relationship to you Date Moved into the property Is the property currently (* Please tick appropriate box in first column below and provide appropriate information) * Unoccupied? * Rented out? Net rental income? weekly/four weekly/calendar monthly * Up for sale? Asking price? SECTION 4 Additional Property or Land Do you own any additional property or land? Yes No (if no please go to page 3) If YES, please tick the relevant box I am the sole owner I own it with someone else Please give details (for example, jointly owned, tenancy in common) and give the names on the deeds... Address...... Post code..... Deferred Payment Information Pack Appendix 3 v.10 Page 2
DECLARATION I agree that any personal and financial information I have provided to The Pension Service or Worcestershire County Council, for the purpose of assessing either my entitlement(s) to benefits and pensions or residential care charges, may be passed between these organisations so that they can assess my entitlement to benefits and pensions or residential care charges. I understand that I may withdraw my consent to the disclosure of such information at any time by writing to: The Care Contribution Manager Care Contribution Assessment Team Adult Services & Health, Worcestershire County Council County Hall, Spetchley Road Worcester, WR5 2NP I declare that the information on this form is correct and complete. I authorise Worcestershire County Council (Adult And Community Services) to obtain any details regarding my financial affairs and assist me to claim any benefit to which I may be entitled. I declare that I have applied for all Social Security benefits available for residential, nursing or domiciliary assistance to the best of my knowledge. If I receive residential accommodation, I understand that I will be responsible for contributing toward my residential accommodation as assessed by the Local Authority for the duration of the contract between the County Council and the home including periods of up to six weeks if I am absent. Are you the person receiving care? If so, please sign below: Signature: Date: If you are signing the form for someone else please read below: You can sign this form for the service user but they must still sign it themselves unless one or more of the following apply. Please tick all the relevant boxes. tick tick I hold a power of attorney to receive and deal with their benefits from social security I am Appointee, appointed by the department for Work and Pensions (DWP), to receive and deal with their benefits and their letters from social security Signature: Date: Print Name: Office Use Please scan and upload This document can be made available in other formats (large print, audio tape, computer disk Name and of Social Braille) Worker: on request from Benefits & Contributions Team Date: on telephone / number / 01905 765761 or by emailing BACAdmin@worcestershire.gov.uk Signature: Deferred Payment Information Pack Appendix 3 v.10 Page 3
PROPERTY INFORMATION PACK - APPENDIX 4 USEFUL NUMBERS The Care Quality Commission The independent regulator of adult health and social care services in England, whether provided by the NHS, local authorities, private companies or voluntary organisations. Also protects the rights of people detained under the Mental Health Act. Tel: 03000 616 161 Website: www.cqc.org.uk Carers UK National charity working on behalf of carers. Offers wide range of information on carers rights and sources of help and contact details for local carers support groups. Tel: 0808 808 7777 (free call) Website: www.carersuk.org Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) National network of free advice centres including advice about national housing provision. Tel: 020 7833 2181 (for contact details only not telephone advice) Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk Counsel and Care A charity that provides advice for older people, their families and professionals on community care and other issues. Tel: 0845 300 7585 (lo-call rate) Website: www.counselandcare.org.uk Department of Health Government department with overall responsibility for social care including residential care homes. Tel: 020 7210 4850 (national call rate) Website: www.dh.gov.uk Elderly Accommodation Council Provides information on all forms of accommodation, support and care for older people. Tel: 020 7820 1343 Website: www.housingcare.org Financial Services Authority (FSA) May be able to help you to find an independent financial advisor. Tel: 0300 500 5000 (Money Advice Service) Tel: 0845 606 1234 (Consumer Help Line) Website: www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk Or : www.fsa.gov.uk Deferred Payment Information Pack Appendix 4 March 2015 Page 1
Pension Service (The) For details of state pensions including forecasts and how to claim your pension. Tel: 0845 60 60 265 (lo-call rate) State Pension Forecasting Team: 0845 3000 168 (lo-call rate) Website: www.direct.gov.uk Relatives & Residents Association (The) The Relatives & Residents Association gives advice and support to older people in care homes, their relatives and friends. Tel: 020 7359 8136 Website: www.relres.org Veterans UK Website bringing together services for veterans including advice on pensions, compensation and welfare services. Tel: 0800 169 22 77 Website: www.veterans-uk.info Worcestershire County Council Care Contribution Assessment Team County Hall Spetchley Road Worcester WR5 2NP Tel: 01905 765761 Email: CCAAdmin@worcestershire.gov.uk Website: www.worcestershire.gov.uk Deferred Payment Information Pack Appendix 4 March 2015 Page 2
Appendix 5 This diagram illustrates what the process is to determining if someone may be considered for a Deferred Payment Agreement The diagram is based on someone being assessed as having a care and support need Does the person have capital over 23,250.00? (excluding their main or only home) No Is the care and support needs going to be met in a care home? Yes Yes No The person is deemed a self funder and able to pay for the care and support needs in full and cannot be considered for a Deferred Payment A Deferred Payment Agreement cannot be considered if the care and support is not being met in a care home Do they own or joint own a property or land? No A Deferred Payment Agreement cannot be considered if they do not own any property of land Yes A Deferred Payment Agreement can be consider. An application form must be submitted, this can be found in the Property Information Pack If a Deferred Payment Agreement is agreed and entered in to the loan begins (Example below) Weekly Assessed Contribution paid by the individual towards their care and support, usually paid direct to the home Total Weekly cost of the care and support needs Worcestershire County Council Weekly Contribution paid direct to the home Weekly Top Up paid by Worcestershire County Council direct to the home (if agreed that there is sufficient equity to add this to the loan) This is the total weekly loan which will accrue whilst on a Deferred Payment Agreement
This document can be made available in other formats (large print, audio tape, computer disk and Braille) on request from Care Contribution Assessment Team on telephone number 01905 765761 or by emailing CCAAdmin@worcestershire.gov.uk To the best of our knowledge all information was correct at the time of printing: March 2015 New Deferred Payment Information Pack Appendix 2 March 2015 Page 2